Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Wish you had a perfectly symmetrical face? You won't after seeing this...

Artist Alex John Beck knows which side is your ugly side.

FACIAL SYMMETRY IS often pointed to as one of the chief indicators of attractiveness in males and females. But how true is that hypothesis?

Fashion photographer Alex John Beck recently decided to test the symmetrical theory of attractiveness by photographing regular people and then making symmetrical versions of each person’s face, by using first the left and then the right side.

Beck’s results are definitely odd and a little disconcerting. He shared a few examples below, but you can check out the rest of his work at his website.

The artist took a portrait of each person and then divided it into the left and right side of the face. Then he mirrored each to create symmetrical portraits from each side:

ajb1 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

For people with more naturally symmetrical faces, the effect is far more subtle.

ajb2 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

For each portrait session, he made the symmetrical version immediately so that he could show his subjects.

ajb3 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

Those with more symmetrical faces were pleased with the results.

ajb4 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

According to Beck, in most cases, subjects looked more like a long-lost sibling than a version of him or herself.

ajb5 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

People with less symmetrical faces were less enthusiastic, even if one of the portraits looked flattering.

ajb6 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

The effect was disturbing for some.

ajb7 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

Certain features get pronounced in each portrait. This man’s face and neck looks thin from his left side, but far more thick and full on the right.

ajb8 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

Beck says that they tried to maintain the structural integrity of each face because they wanted each one to look realistic.

ajb9 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

Beck declined to include the original portrait of each person because then people would focus on finding the differences between the faces. Instead, he wanted viewers to look critically at each face by itself.

ajb10 Alex John Beck Alex John Beck

- Harrison Jacobs

Read: Is Pulp’s song Common People really about the Greek Finance Minister’s wife?

Read: This stunning iPhone pic won a Cork man a top international photography prize

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 30 comments
Close
30 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 8:41 AM

    If you are going to make a mistake MAKE A BIG ONE

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neeneee
    Favourite neeneee
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 8:56 AM

    Dislike tesco,their products and staff

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emily Elephant
    Favourite Emily Elephant
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 9:12 AM

    It was much more than a mistake though. They made a deliberate decision to book revenue from suppliers at a particular stage. Even if that didn’t break the rules, it’s the sort of aggressive policy that rarely ends well.

    And the bigger story is that more than a fifth (possibly even more) of Tesco’s profit comes from payments from *suppliers*. That is only sustainable while you dominate the consumer end. Real trouble ahead.

    56
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Hughes
    Favourite Linda Hughes
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 11:24 PM

    Me to the staff are rude, unhelpful, surly and they do not smile, continue doing what they are doing when a que is building up and then have an attitude when they have to serve you. I stopped shopping in Tesco a long time ago and would never go back

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre Mallin
    Favourite Deirdre Mallin
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 8:44 AM

    Aldi people know now every lidl helps!

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Mullen
    Favourite Darren Mullen
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 10:09 AM

    They should be under the microscope for the outrageous prices they charge.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jill Antrop
    Favourite Jill Antrop
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 9:16 AM

    One of their butchers must have been doing the accounts so

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andy
    Favourite Andy
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 11:57 AM

    Tesco is sh*t. Their meat is crap, I won’t say the staff are rude, I just don’t think they care. Their prices are absolute nonsense, 30 quid gets you a barely half full bag of shopping – ridiculous!

    If you’re not a major fan of lidl or aldi, and sick of Tesco using your hard earned golds to fill their accounting holes then Dunnes is your man!

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grainne Gavin
    Favourite Grainne Gavin
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 11:08 AM

    In fairness Tesco prices are very high, and people just cant afford to shop there anymore, i only go to Tesco for washing powder, and if they have a deal on something other than that wouldn’t go near the place.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim
    Favourite Jim
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 8:46 AM

    You can get everything you want under the tree at Spar

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheik Yerbouti
    Favourite Sheik Yerbouti
    Report
    Oct 1st 2014, 8:55 AM

    The person who stands up and says, “This is stupid,” either is asked to `behave’ or, worse,
    is greeted with a cheerful “Yes, we know! Isn’t it terrific!” FZ

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.